According to a number of reports (including Nikkan Sports and Sponichi), Kazuyuki Hoashi met with the Seibu Lions today in order to tell them that he was going to sign with the Softbank Hawks and thank them for their support over the years.

A separate Sponichi report indicates that Hoashi selected Fukuoka over Seibu for two reasons: the chance to return to Fukuoka and the passion and enthusiasm the Hawks showed during their negotiations.